Owner Shane Wilson said it is crucial to make each salon client comfortable.[/caption]
In the past, Shane Wilson would have been unsure if his daughter wanted to become a cosmetologist. However, in September 2014, Wilson and his wife, Tuesday, opened Salon Professional Academy and began educating the next generation of cosmetologists.
“A lot of times people don’t really know what this industry is,” Wilson said. “If I did not get in this industry, as a dad, I would have [thought] the same thing. But knowing what the industry is about and knowing the earning potential you can [have] changed my mind.”
The couple, who had both worked as school teachers, got into the business by renting salon space to stylists in 2005, but felt that the education opportunities were lacking for cosmetologists. The Wilsons liked that the school, which partners with hair-care company Redken, not only teaches the skills for hair, nails and skin care, but also how to be successful in business.
“We teach them to make the experience for the client,” Wilson said. “When you give your client that experience, your business will blossom.”
Students at the academy get 1,500 hours of in-salon and classroom experience as required by the state of Texas and prepare for the state written and practical exams, Wilson said. Students typically graduate within 11 months, but Wilson said he is more concerned with providing students with skills to become independent and successful.
Alli Wilkinson, a student at the academy and owner of Green Alley Salon in Austin, already had a business degree, but said she wanted to learn more about the technical side of cosmetology.
“Not only are [we learning technical skills], but also the business skills to be able to apply those in the real world,” Wilkinson said. “So many people have been just taught the basics, and they do not know what to do when they get behind the chair.”
The students receive hands-on experience by providing services to more than 3,000 customers, Wilson said.
He said that almost every graduate has gone on to work in the cosmetology industry and that he has high hopes for the 23 current students.
“We are here to provide people with a skill so they can get out, be self-sufficient and not have to rely on anyone else to support them,” Wilson said.
901 S. I-35, Georgetown 512-868-8079 www.tspageorgetown.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sunday
Salon Professional Academy, which partners with Redken, teaches students the business side of cosmetology.[/caption]
